“I have no words. I’ve had phone calls from kids in Ballybough who had sorted jobs at stalls, selling stuff or serving food and drinks.

“That’s gone now. They’re crying down the phones to me.

“If you had asked me at 12 o’clock this afternoon to put some money on what was going to happen, I would have put cash on the three going ahead.

“Now, it’s all gone. It’s ridiculous. This has just been a disaster.

“What are you supposed to say? The city would have generated a lot of money. This is when people are struggling. I’ve had my phone in my hand since six this morning onto people. I would never have guessed this was going to happen.”

Protesting residents blamed the GAA and promoters for being too greedy.

Head of the Streets Committee, Eamon O’Brien, said fans will be disappointed but yesterday’s news is a “victory for the little man”.

Country music singer Garth Brooks (Photo: REUTERS/Jim Ruymen)

He said: “I’ve just heard the news. I’m shocked if I’m being perfectly honest with you.

“I really thought the three would go ahead. The permission had been granted for them.

“We put in our legal objections to them going ahead as we have the right to. But I never thought it would all go.

“I do feel sorry for the fans, I really do. But this is a day for the little man. It’s a victory for the little man.

“Maybe this will mean the GAA and promoters will think twice before selling 400,000 tickets.

“There’s always pride before a fall and maybe the groups involved will put aside greed and gluttony next time.

“The message to the fans is maybe next time he’ll come back and they’ll do the licencing properly.”

The GAA, who also faced strong criticism after the debacle began last week, said they were shocked.

A statement from the association read: “The GAA shares the intense disappointment of the 400,000 people who have purchased tickets.

“Croke Park Stadium has worked closely with Aiken Promotions in its efforts to stage a unique series of concerts which would have represented an exciting national event and a joyful summer celebration.”

Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald has described the cancellation of the Garth Brooks concerts as a massive own goal for Dublin.

She said: “The cancellation of the Garth Brooks concerts is a massive own goal for Dublin. Concert goers have been left disappointed and the city has lost out on a much needed economic boost.”